Work has started for elections to choose a mayor, councillors and community board members for the Ōpōtiki district.
Nominations for the triennial elections open on Friday 19 July 2019 and close at noon on Friday 16 August. Postal voting papers will be delivered from 20 September with voting closing at 12 noon on Saturday 12 October.
Voters in Ōpōtiki will choose 3 Ōpōtiki ward councillors, 2 Waioeka/Waiōtahe ward councillors, 1 Coast ward councillor and 1 Mayor (elected at large). Voters will also choose 4 Coast Community Board members and at the same time be asked to vote for Bay of Plenty Regional Council councillors and Bay of Plenty District Health Board members. At its ordinary meeting on 12 March, Council confirmed that the order of candidate names in the 2019 voting documents will appear in alphabetical order.
If you are considering standing for election you may find this article from the Rotorua Daily Post insightful. Rotorua councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait talks about the difficult balancing act she has among differing needs of the community. It includes her thoughts on what it is to be a good councillor and includes a fitting tribute to Don Riesterer, ex Ōpōtiki District Mayor who sadly passed away in February this year. Merepeka Raukawa-Tait: A good councillor values their community.
Further information on the 2019 local elections can be found on our Elections page. The page will be updated throughout the election process. Council is also supporting the Vote2019 campaign. It's about encouraging informed debate, supporting candidates as they stand, and promoting voting in the October elections.
